Safety Tips for Working Around Horses

1. Introduction

Any veterinarian who engages in equine practice must be vigilant of safety. Whether on a farm, at a stable, or in a hospital environment all parties involved in the examination and treatment of equine patients can be at risk. This includes, but is not limited to, the owner, their horse, the veterinarian, and his/her employees.

Equine practitioners need to develop and use good horsemanship skills and “savvy” when working with horses to minimize the chance of injury to any of the previously mentioned parties. It is not the purpose or scope of this paper to discuss legal ramifications or reference numbers regarding injuries as they relate to equine practice. The author merely will attempt to highlight certain areas of concern that come to mind when discussing this subject.

Being aware that the horse is a prey animal helps explain why horses are such a highly perceptive species and often are described as “missing nothing” by knowledgeable individuals. The horse has a propensity for “leaving” when threatened. However, when surprised or when they feel trapped this large and potentially explosive species can and will defend themselves. To this end, it behooves the practitioner to constantly be alert and use sound preventative measures to minimize the risk of injury. 

In the following paragraphs the author will break down specific areas of concern in regards to handling the horse.

2. Areas of Most Sensitivity

Two of the most sensitive and, therefore, potentially dangerous areas of a horse are the muzzle/mouth and the tail/rear end. Both the very front and the very back (rear) should be approached with caution, respect, and in a slow deliberate fashion. Experienced practitioners can testify that quick abrupt movements around the equine patient, especially in these two areas, can lead to an unfavorable reaction. Both of these areas can be easily desensitized in the naïve horse. Unfortunately, because the horse is very communicative with its muzzle/mouth this area of its anatomy can be a nuisance or, even worse, a hazard if the patient has been allowed or encouraged to be disrespectful. It is the author’s opinion that there is no good reason to indiscriminately touch, tickle, stroke, or kiss a horse below the level of the noseband on a halter. Absolutely no good can come of this practice! This area can easily be examined with the proper approach and purpose. One can also make the case that handling the muzzle with an ungloved hand by anyone could be the first step in facilitating the spread of respiratory disease and should not be done in a casual manner.

The rear of a horse is intuitively a dangerous area and most mature humans have that knowledge imbedded in their genes. With a slow approach and using careful deliberate stroking (similar to brushing) most horses will allow touching the tail, perineum, and lower hind limbs in a relaxed manner. They must not be surprised in this area though as it could elicit an explosive and, therefore, very dangerous reaction which could be life-threatening to the examiner. Also using multiple “points of contact” to keep the horse aware of your presence is highly encouraged, especially when it may be difficult for the horse to easily see where the examiner is located.

3. Haltering/Leading

When haltering, the generally accepted approach is to enter the horse’s space from the left side toward the base of the neck/shoulder area. Regardless of where haltering is taking place a horse should be encouraged to go forward and not backward. Backing away from or toward the handler is a more dangerous situation than having the horse move forward. If a horse thinks they can leave they tend to not feel as threatened, whereas if they feel trapped they are more likely to flee or fight.

Holding or leading a horse can be challenging if the animal’s ground manners are less than ideal. The author prefers to use either a nylon or leather halter on the horse to facilitate maximum control and safety. In a standing position the side of the halter or varying lengths of the lead rope can be held. When instructing an inexperienced person the author uses illustrations to describe the location where the animal should be held (Figs. 1–3).
 

4. Helpful Tips for Practitioners When Interacting With Equine Patients

• Few equine practitioners are or want to be horse trainers. However, we should strive to leave our patients “better than we found them” to facilitate cooperation in our exam/treatment regimes in future encounters.
• For the most part, the practitioner (or handler) is either sensitizing or desensitizing the equine patient every time we interact. Both are necessary and effective tools to encourage cooperation from the horse but care should be taken to not use the wrong technique when the opposite approach might be more likely to produce the desired result.
• When leading a horse, always change direction by turning the animal away from the handler. This is a safer technique and maintains the horse in a straighter body position and encourages the horse to yield to the handler’s space.
• If presented with a horse that has a tendency to nibble or bite when being held or led, the author places a dog collar over the nose band of the halter and around the muzzle (similar to a cavesson) to discourage this rude behavior.
• Only one person should be doing an exam on a horse at one time. This basic safety rule is frequently broken by inexperienced individuals.
• Stocks do not provide complete protection for the handler, observer, or practitioner, regardless of where one might be standing.
• Sedated horses should not give the handler/ examiner false security. A sedated horse may be more easily surprised by movement or noise and react violently.
• Generally, once past mid-thorax of the equine patient the examiner would be better served to face the rear of the horse with one’s back toward the head.
• A good rule of thumb as a veterinarian is to never examine or attempt any treatment procedure on a horse that is tied.
• There is a saying among horsemen, “there’s a time to work and there’s a time to wait.” It is best not to get the two confused!! [...]